Opioid-free Anesthesia and Quality of Recovery After General Anesthesia

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Opioid-free Anesthesia; Geriatric Population

• Registration Number: NCT06846333
• Lead Sponsor: Selcuk University

Brief Summary

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an opioid-free anesthesia protocol on postoperative recovery quality in patients aged 65 years and older undergoing major surgery. Recovery quality was assessed using the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire. Findings are expected to contribute to optimizing anesthesia practices in the elderly population by improving recovery quality and reducing opioid-related side effects.

Detailed Description

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the impact of an opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) protocol on postoperative recovery quality in geriatric patients aged 65 years and older undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. Recovery quality will be assessed using the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire at 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain intensity (measured via VAS), opioid consumption (measured through patient-controlled analgesia devices), the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) assessed using the Mini-Mental Test (MMT) and the Clock Drawing Test, and the frequency of opioid-related adverse events (nausea, vomiting, constipation, urinary retention, dizziness, and others). Furthermore, intraoperative hemodynamic stability, extubation time, time to spontaneous ventilation recovery, and lengths of stay in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and the hospital will also be recorded.

The rationale for this study is rooted in the significant side effects of opioids, such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), hyperalgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression, which can prolong recovery time and hospital discharge. To accelerate postoperative recovery and minimize opioid-related side effects, "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)" protocols, which have gained popularity in recent years, include OFA as an alternative analgesic strategy. OFA protocols provide multimodal analgesia through non-opioid drugs and techniques targeting various pain pathways, potentially reducing the incidence of chronic pain and expediting recovery.

A key component of the OFA protocol used in this study is ketamine, which has shown efficacy in reducing neuroinflammation and improving cognitive function, making it particularly relevant in the elderly population at risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction. While evidence supporting the benefits of OFA in various surgical fields such as gynecology, orthopedics, and gastrointestinal surgeries is growing, there remains a lack of data on its effects on recovery outcomes in geriatric patients undergoing major surgeries. This study aims to address this gap by providing comprehensive data on the impact of OFA on recovery quality, opioid-related adverse events, and perioperative outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Patients will be divided into two groups based on the anesthesiologist's clinical preference:

1. Opioid-Based Anesthesia (Group 1): Induction with propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium; maintenance with remifentanil and sevoflurane.

2. Opioid-Free Anesthesia (Group 2): Induction with propofol, ketamine, and rocuronium; maintenance with ketamine and propofol infusions, along with sevoflurane.

Both groups will undergo standard perioperative monitoring, including BIS (bispectral index) for anesthesia depth and continuous hemodynamic monitoring. Recovery parameters such as extubation time, spontaneous ventilation recovery, and PACU length of stay will be recorded in detail. Postoperatively, the QoR-15 questionnaire will be completed at 24, 48, and 72 hours, with follow-up by telephone for patients discharged early.

This study is expected to contribute to the limited literature on the application of OFA in geriatric surgical patients. By highlighting the potential benefits of OFA in enhancing postoperative recovery, reducing opioid consumption, and preventing opioid-related adverse events, this research aims to provide insights for safer and more effective anesthesia practices in the elderly population.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-02
• Study First Submitted: 2025-02-03
• Study Start: 2025-02-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-02-25
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-02-25
• Study First Posted: 2025-02-26
• Last Update Posted: 2025-02-26
• Primary Completion: 2025-04-25
• Study Completion: 2025-04-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients aged 65 and older
• Undergoing major elective non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia
• Classified as ASA I-II-III
• With sufficient cognitive ability to complete a questionnaire were included in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients requiring rapid sequence induction for emergency cases
• Those with severe psychiatric or cognitive disorders preventing questionnaire evaluation
• A body mass index < 18 or > 39 kg/m²
• Allergy or contraindication to any drug included in the study
• A history of chronic pain or chronic opioid use
• Uncontrolled epilepsy, decompensated heart failure
• Chronic kidney or liver failure
• Preoperative bradycardia with atrioventricular block (2nd or 3rd degree)
• Heart rate < 50 bpm due to chronic beta-blocker therapy
• Those using medications that prolong the QT interval
• Patients whose anesthesia regimen was intraoperatively changed (from opioid-free to opioid-containing anesthesia)

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Quality of Recovery	The quality of recovery will be assessed using the QoR-15 scale at 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively.	The quality of recovery will be evaluated using the quality of recovery 15 (QoR-15) scale.QoR-15 is a 15-item questionnaire that assesses the patient's emotional state, physical comfort, psychological support, physical independence, and pain status, with each question scored between 0 (never) and 10 (always); a total score of less than 90 is considered poor, a score between 90 and 121 is moderate, a score between 122 and 135 is good, and a score above 135 indicates excellent recovery.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction	Postoperative cognitive dysfunction will be evaluated using the Clock Drawing Test, administered preoperatively and at 24 hours postoperatively.	Postoperative cognitive dysfunction will be evaluated using the Clock Drawing Test. According to the Clock Drawing Test, a score between 8 and 10 indicates normal cognitive function, a score between 5 and 7 suggests mild cognitive impairment, and a score of 4 or below signifies moderate to severe cognitive impairment.
Postoperative pain management	Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at PACU, and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively.	Postoperative pain assessment will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). VAS is a subjective and visual assessment method where the patient rates pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).
Opioid consumption	The total drug consumption and the amounts administered via the PCA device at postoperative 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours will be recorded.	Opioid consumption will be evaluated using Contramal via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device.
To evaluate recovery profile	The length of hospital stay was recorded in days during the perioperative period, calculated by subtracting the admission date from the discharge date	The length of hospital stay (calculated by subtracting the admission date from the discharge date) was recorded in days.
Opioid-Related Adverse Events	Opioid-related adverse events observed within 72 hours after surgery were recorded.	Opioid-related adverse events (nausea, vomiting, constipation, difficulty urinating, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness or difficulty staying awake, dizziness, feeling sleepy, general fatigue or weakness, itching, dry mouth, and headache).